Spherical cavity pump



Nov. 9, 1965 R. cs. NICOLAS 3,216,364

SPHERICAL CAVITY PUMP Filed Jan. 50, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 SHAFT INVENTOR RAYMOND G NICOLAS MIMM ATTORNEYS FIG.2 BY

Nov. 9, 1965 R. G. NICOLAS 3,216,364

SPHERICAL CAVITY PUMP Filed Jan. 50, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 38 I 32 I2 7. 34 lo so I H o 11]. 6 E yk 57 g 20 20 |l 1 ve 3 2 {I 3 8 INVENTOR.

3O RAYMOND G. NICOLAS FIG. 4

mi w ATTORNEYS Nov. 9, 1965 R. e. NICOLAS 3,216,364

SPHERICAL CAVITY PUMP Filed Jan. 30, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN IN 4 J I I I I 4 4 OUT OUT FIG.9 FIG. 9

FIG. ll INVENTOR.

RAYMOND G. NICOLAS ATTORNEYS 3,216,364 Patented Nov. 9, 1965 3,216,364 SPHERICAL CAVITY PUMP Raymond G. Nicolas, 530 S. 105th Place 13., Tulsa, Okla. Filed Jan. 30, 1963, Ser. No. 254,882 1 Claim. (Cl. 103-137) This invention relates to a fluid pump. More specifically it relates to a pump having a spherical cavity within which a rotating impeller is adapted to operate to intake and discharge fluids.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a spherical cavity pump for fluids which is an improvement over existing pumps, especially in the ability to pump fluids at high pressures and volumes, yet is of economical and simple construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spherical cavity pump which combined symmetrical interchangeable parts and further provides a reversible pump, merely by reversing rotation of the drive shaft.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent upon further reading of the specification and claims when taken in conjunction with the following illustrations of which:

FIGURE 1 is a top elevational view of a spherical cavity pump constructed in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view with a portion cut away.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURES 5 and 6 are front and side elevational views respectively of one type of seal ring for use with the spherical cavity impeller of this invention.

FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 are schematic views describing the operation of the pump of this invention.

FIGURE 10 is a top elevation of a rub block seal used in this invention.

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 1111 of FIGURE 10.

DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings in detail, and specifically FIGURES 1 and 2, the pump of this invention is shown to comprise identical shells 10 and 12 which include abutting flange portions 14 and 16 held together by using bolts 18 to form a housing. Interiorly, and not shown in these views, each of the shells 10 and 12 are formed with matching endless spherical portions, such that when bolted together a substantially spherical cavity or chamber is formed. A power driven shaft 20 extends through the pump housing as shown, and which is described in detail hereinafter. Diametrically opposed manifolds 22 and 24 are retained to the assembled shells using bolts 26. One of these manifolds is adapted to become a fluid inlet while the other becomes a fluid outlet or discharge manifold. One particular advantage of this pump is that it can be readily reversed by reversing the rotation of the impeller shaft 20.

Although the particular embodiment described in the various views shows an impeller shaft 20 which is adapted to extend through the assembled shells 10 and 12, it is to be understood that the shaft could terminate at one end and not extend through the shells and hence minimize packing and leakage. The manifolds 22 and 24 comprise central opening 30 which extends outwardly forming a conical shell 32 which terminates with plate 34. The plate is then adapted to be sealingly retained against surface 36 which contains a multiplicity of openings 38 which communicate with the interior spherical pump cavity or chamber.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, the spherical cavity and impeller constructions are more adequately described. As previously noted, spherical cavity 40 is formed by the abutting assembly of the hemispherical portions 10 and 12 through which shaft 20 extends. A longitudinal groove 50 is formed in shaft 20 such that, when in position, the center will be aligned within the spherical pump cavity. An important feature of this invention concerns the axial position of shaft 20 with respect to the spherical cavity 40. It is preferred that the shaft axis be offset on one side or the other of a first axial plane of the spherical cavity common to the inlet and outlet ports 38, yet be axially coplanar with a second axial plane to said first plane. This is best described by reference to FIGURES 3 and 4, wherein the former describes the offsetting centerlines while the latter illustrates the co-planar shaft and spherical cavity axis 90 to the former.

An impeller 52 is a disc slideably retained within the groove 50 and adapted to move perpendicular to the axis of shaft 20. Due to the offset position of the shaft 20, the impeller or piston 52 is designed to be expandable and contractable within the spherical cavity 40 during rotation. The periphery of the piston terminates therefore with spaced resilient piston rings or seals 54. That peripheral space 55 between the rings 54 is substantially at least as wide as the diameter of inlet-outlet openings 38 for reasons hereinafter described in the operation of this invention. The piston seal rings 54 are typically constructed to be resiliently conformable to the cavity 40 to maintain a seal therewith on each side of the impeller or piston. Depending of course on the characteristics of the fluid to be pumped, the rings may be a resilient rubber, spring steel (typically shown in FIG- URES 5 and 6) or in some instances semi-elastorneric materials such as nylon, Teflon or other synthetic resins. In this embodiment the resilient rings are held in position by segments 56 which are retained in position by bolts 57 to the impeller disc 52.

Within the groove 50 at the outer extensions thereof, rub block seal members 60 are positioned. Each member, cooperating with seal rings 54, functions to provide a seal with respect to the impeller, the shaft, and the cavity. Each member includes an interior arcuate surface 62 which is adapted to be sealed with respect to the peripheral rings 54 while the exterior arcuate surface 64 is adapted to permit a rocking motion with respect to the ends of the groove 50. Upper and lower recesses 66 are adapted to receive the piston seal rings which normally extend outwardly and transversely of the impeller disc.

Shaft 20 is rotatively retained in the shell portions 10 and 12 by bushings or bearings 67 and sealed by packing 68 of any well known type. In some instances it may be desirable to have a shaft leak return conduit from a packing gland 68 to the intake side of the pump cavity.

Referring now to FIGURES 5 and 6, a piston ring 70 composed of a spring type metal is depicted. Such a piston or impeller ring is typically positioned about the periphery of the impeller 52 for maintaining an effective seal within the spherical chamber 50 at all times. Other piston ring types having well known types of sealed expansion joints are inclusive of this invention.

OPERATION The operation of the spherical cavity pump of this invention is best described with reference to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9.

Assuming rotation in the direction shown, the condition existing in FIGURE 7 represents the maximum differential between volumes V and V It is to be noted that in this condition the impeller seal rings 54 straddle the openings 38, thereby preventing any leakage from one chamber to the next. Continued rotation, and because of the offset relationship of shaft 20 with respect to the spherical cavity 40, causes V to decrease, causing increasing pressure, while V increases with decreasing pressure permitting an influx of fluid through the inlet while the high pressure volume V is forced out. The cycle is repeated once the impeller passes the inlet-outlet plane as depicted in FIGURE 7.

MODIFICATIONS The impeller or piston 52 peripheral edge may be tapered or contoured to more adequately configure to the rotative operation and to relieve unwanted stress on the parts.

The offset axial centerline of the shaft 20 relative to the spherical cavity 40 may be located as desired to increase or decrease the volume and pressure relationship.

The size, number and location of the inlet and outlet openings 38 may be varied as needed.

The invention has been described with reference to specific and preferred embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that many modifications can be made Without departing from the spirit of this invention. Accordingly, this invention should be construed not to be limited to the embodiments herein described, but should be limited only by the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed:

A pump for fluids, comprising,

a housing having a substantially spherical cavity;

a sealed shaft extending exteriorly of said housing into and across said cavity, the axis of said shaft offset in a given vertical axial plane of said cavity from the complementary perpendicular horizontal axial plane of said cavity, a grooved opening extending through the axis of said shaft;

a circular impeller piston slideable within said groove, said piston including spaced peripheral sealing rings whereby the diameter of said piston including said rings is substantially that of said cavity;

diametrically opposed rub block seals in the ends of said groove, each of said seals including an arcuate interior face to seal against the periphery of said piston and sealing rings, and a concentric exterior face adapted to tangentially pivot against the ends of said groove whereby an effective seal is maintained with respect to the volume space on each side of said piston;

substantially diametrically opposed inlet and outlet openings communicating said cavity with the exterior of said housing, said openings in the same plane as the axis of said shaft; and

means to rotate said shaft.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 570,889 11/96 Wilson 91129 785,077 3/05 Bergman 91-129 902,239 10/08 Lee 91-129 1,899,374 2/33 Welle 123l6 2,193,178 3/40 Laythorpe 123-16 2,410,596 11/46 Bradford 103137 2,525,619 10/50 Roth et a1 103--137 3,127,844 4/64 McCann et al 103137 KARL I. ALBRECHT, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH H. BRANSON, JR., Examiner. 

